I’m a big fan of Mencia. What the hell is that? Well, it’s a grape and a relative newcomer to the world wine scene and you’ll find it, mostly, in a Spanish area called Bierzo. While it’s new to use, many of the wines available are from 50-100 year old vines, so it’s been around a while.

Bierzo has also has at least one tenuous link with Ireland, it shares the same annual rainfall as the eastcoast. This is definitely “Green Spain”

Wines are typically fresh, fragrant, with good fresh vibrant fruit and a savoury bite. Brambly is a good word to the describe them.

In terms of availability. There aren’t too many on the Irish market . From memory the following are good buys from independents (though Superquinn and M&S are bound to have decent ones too):

  • Tilenus
  • Petalos
  • Cuatro Pasos
  • Manium
  • Uttaris
  • Xestal
Expect to pay anything between €12 ro €20 for the above.

La Mano Mencia

So, it was with great surprise and delight that a sub-€10 Mencia has made it to the independent trade.

Available from Curious, Simply, Red Nose and Cases (and potentially a few other spots) for €8.95.

What is it like?

First off, that lovely lavender and “garrigue” smell you get from the Languedoc. Lots of lovely brambly fruit and a greeny freshness that Cabernet Franc fans go mad for.

Delicious stuff and a real bargain to boot. Get your mits on this and discover what Mencia is all about.